If you are looking for a refreshing summer drink that is as beautiful as it is delicious, this homemade raspberry lemonade is exactly what you need. A simple from scratch raspberry syrup made with frozen raspberries, sugar, and lemon zest gets combined with fresh lemon juice and cold water for the most gorgeous bright pink lemonade you have ever seen.
The best part is that because it uses frozen raspberries you can make this drink any time of year, not just when raspberries are in season.
This easy raspberry lemonade recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and is completely non alcoholic and naturally gluten free, making it the perfect drink for everyone at the table.
It is the kind of summer drink recipe that looks like you spent a lot of time on it but could not be simpler to pull together.
Whether you are hosting a backyard BBQ, bringing a drink to a summer gathering, or just want something cold and fruity to sip on a warm afternoon, this homemade pink lemonade is going to be your go to all season long.
If you like this delicious drink recipe you might also enjoy my Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktails, Lemon Lime Homemade Sports Drink or Classic Margarita Mocktail.
You can find all of my drink recipes here: Gluten Free Drink Recipes
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Ingredients
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat cook the raspberries, sugar and lemon zest until the mixture is warm and bubbling. Be sure to stir the mixture so it doesn't stick to the pan.
Pour the raspberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds and pulp. Let the syrup cool.
In a pitcher add the cold water, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and ice. Stir to combine.
Serve immediately in tumblers with ice.
Supplies
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Fresh raspberries work beautifully in this recipe and will give you the same gorgeous color and fresh fruity flavor. The reason this recipe calls for frozen raspberries is that they are available year round, making it easy to whip up a batch of homemade raspberry lemonade any time of year. If fresh raspberries are in season and you have them on hand, use the same amount and follow the recipe exactly as written.
This raspberry lemonade will keep in a sealed pitcher or glass container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you know you are not serving it right away, mix everything together except the ice and add the ice right before serving. This keeps the lemonade from getting watered down as it sits.
Absolutely and I actually recommend it! Making the raspberry syrup a day ahead and storing it in the refrigerator means it will be perfectly chilled and ready to go when you need it. Simply combine the cooled syrup with the lemon juice and cold water right before serving and add ice. It is the perfect make ahead drink for summer parties and gatherings.
Yes! Swap out some or all of the cold water for sparkling water or club soda to make a sparkling raspberry lemonade. Add the sparkling water right before serving so it stays bubbly and refreshing. This is a beautiful option for parties and special occasions.
You can reduce the sugar in the raspberry syrup to suit your taste. Keep in mind that the sugar is what helps the syrup thicken and balance the tartness of the raspberries and lemon juice. If you reduce it too much the syrup will be thinner and the lemonade will be more tart. Start by reducing the sugar by a few tablespoons and taste as you go until you find the right balance for you.
Absolutely! This homemade raspberry lemonade is already non alcoholic and makes a fantastic base for mocktails. Add a splash of sparkling water, a sprig of fresh mint, and a few fresh raspberries as garnish for a beautiful and festive mocktail that is perfect for any occasion. You can also add a splash of coconut water for a fun tropical twist.
Substitutions
You can easily substitute frozen strawberries or a mix of berries in this recipe.
- Frozen Strawberries - instead of frozen raspberries you can use strawberries and get a similar bright pink color
- Frozen Mixed Berries - the berry lemonade will be a bit more purple, but it will still be delicious and is a great way to use up leftover frozen berries.
- Lime Juice - you can easily use lime juice and/or lime zest in the place of the lemon in this recipe
More Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Homemade Raspberry Lemonade
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This homemade raspberry lemonade is the most refreshing summer drink made from scratch with a simple homemade raspberry syrup using frozen raspberries, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Ready in just 10 minutes, this beautiful bright pink lemonade is non alcoholic, naturally gluten free, and perfect for summer parties, BBQs, and everyday sipping all season long.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce bag Frozen Whole Red Raspberries
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
- ½ cup Lemon Juice
- 5 cups Cold Water
- Ice, to serve with
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat cook the raspberries, sugar and lemon zest until the mixture is warm and bubbling. Be sure to stir the mixture so it doesn't stick to the pan.
Pour the raspberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds and pulp. Let the syrup cool.
In a pitcher add the cold water, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and ice. Stir to combine.
Serve immediately in tumblers with ice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
If you make this Homemade Raspberry Lemonade I would love to hear what you think! Leave a star rating and a comment below and let me know how you served it.
Don't forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest boards so you can find it again all summer long!
Top Tip
Make sure you let the raspberry syrup cool completely in the refrigerator before combining it with the lemon juice and water. If you add warm syrup to cold water the ice will melt immediately and you will end up with a watered down lemonade. Thirty minutes in the fridge is all it takes and it makes a big difference in how cold and refreshing the final drink is.
Storage
You can store this drink in the pitcher or a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you know you aren't going to serve this recipe immediately you can mix everything together except for the ice. Add the ice right before serving to keep the drinks cold.
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